1890 EOYAL INSTITUTION LECTUEE 187 



having been taken ill with bronchitis, I agreed to 

 reheve him of some engagements he had entered into 

 for giving lectures to a Highgate Institution. Con- 

 sequently I had to give two lectures on Tuesday (in 

 the afternoon at the Institution, and in the evening 

 at Hjghgate), and another yesterday, besides attend- 

 ing Council meetings, &c. The Institution lectures 

 give much more satisfaction than I anticipated, as I 

 thought the historical character of this year's course 

 would appeal but to a small number of people. But 

 the audience keeps up to between one hundred and 

 two hundred very steadily (usually one hundred and 

 fifty), and is in part made up of outsiders. But I 

 shall not be sorry when they are over, as it will leave 

 me more time for better work. 



I am sorry that there still continue to be so many 

 ups and downs in your daily reports.^ The case is, 

 indeed, dreadfully tedious. How would you Mke me 

 to run down to see you after my lectures are over ? 



I enclose a photo which has just come from a man 

 who is photographing the Eoyal Society. 



We are all well and flying about in all directions. 

 Such a time for dinners and concerts and all manner 

 of things ; it is a wonder that we are living at all, as 

 old Jean - used to say. 



To J. Bomanes, Esq. 



March 15, 1889. 



I am glad you think so well of what I write, for it 

 often seems to me that, amid so many distractions 



' His brother was iU. ^ An old nurse. 



